The general consensus was his next step would be a Senate race in Massachusetts if either Senator Edward Markey or Senator Elizabeth Warren, 71 and 69 respectively, either retired or, in the case of Warren, ran for the presidency.

Under that scenario, as a Massachusetts senator, Kennedy would have become a natural White House potential contender for 2024 or 2028.

But the Crowley crash may send Kennedy to the Speaker’s office, a completely different route.

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Joe Kennedy III, Elizabeth Warren and Barney Frank

Running for president as speaker would be a quite different scenario, one that would prove difficult.

But if his party calls, Kennedy, who has reached across the aisle and made deep friendships with Republicans as well as inside his own caucus, might find it hard to refuse.

He has been an impassioned critic of Trump, his gutting of the Affordable Care Act and his treatment of migrant children, both issues very much on the front burner now.

We can welcome the tired, the poor, the yearning to be free – and still be free ourselves. If America can’t figure out how to amass the resources, courage, & political will to ensure NO child suffers on our shores – who will? pic.twitter.com/cFB0sJtGGc

The Kennedy name certainly helps within a Democratic caucus and he is already one of the most requested speakers for others on the campaign trail.

Pelosi clearly likes him as evidenced by her giving him the plum role of responding to the Trump State of the Union. If she installs him in the No 4 spot behind three aged veterans including herself, she is sending a clear signal as to who her successor should be.

A Kennedy as Speaker would certainly be something different but whether it would jibe with a run for the White House is something else to consider.

The Crowley loss has utterly changed the dynamic for Democrats in the House and Kennedy is the name on many lips. But would he want it, given that it could cloud a presidential run later in his career?